Nitric oxide boosting supplements help athletes improve circulation, nutrient delivery, endurance, and muscular “pump” by enhancing vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels.

MRI Performance’s NO2® Nitric Oxide Original Formula is engineered to maximize this effect using a blend of classic NO precursors plus a unique peptide fraction called ACTINOS (CFM Nitro) that amplifies NO production beyond standard formulas.

What NO2® Is and How It Works

Core Concept:
Nitric oxide is produced in the body when the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS) converts arginine into NO. Traditional NO boosters supply arginine precursors to increase substrate availability, but NO production is often limited by NOS activity — not substrate alone. MRI NO2® addresses this bottleneck.

Key Mechanisms in NO2®:

• L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (A-AKG) & L-Arginine HCl: Precursors for NO synthesis, supporting blood flow and nutrient delivery.

• Alpha-Lipoic Acid & Quercetin: Antioxidant support that promotes cellular health and may help sustain NO production.

• ACTINOS (CFM Nitro): Proprietary peptide fraction that increases NOS enzyme activity, enhancing the conversion of arginine into nitric oxide.

ACTINOS (CFM Nitro): The Game-Changer Ingredient

What It Is

ACTINOS (CFM Nitro) is a fractionated peptide blend derived from whey protein isolate — specifically enriched to interact with nitric oxide biology. It appears in the proprietary blend of the NO2® formula to go beyond simply providing amino acid precursors.

• Often described in industry sources as CFM Nitro P peptides or ActiNOS® peptides — fractions selected for their potential to stimulate NO synthase activity, the rate-limiting step in nitric oxide production.

• Unlike raw arginine, these peptides don’t just act as substrates — they potentially upregulate the enzyme that produces NO, which can meaningfully boost overall NO yield.

Why It Matters

This approach addresses a common limitation in standard nitric oxide boosters:

Simply providing arginine doesn’t guarantee increased NO if the body can’t efficiently convert it. ACTINOS is claimed to enhance NOS enzyme activity, helping break through that metabolic ceiling.

In vitro (lab) data from the manufacturer shows up to a 950% increase in NO production potential versus baseline cultured cells — suggesting that ACTINOS may significantly amplify NO output when paired with arginine precursors.

Benefits Backed by Mechanism

1. Enhanced Vasodilation & Blood Flow
With increased NOS activity and NO production, vascular smooth muscle relaxation improves. This supports:

• Better delivery of oxygen and nutrients to active muscle

• Greater endurance and reduced fatigue during high-intensity sets

• Stronger, longer muscle “pumps” during training

2. Potential Performance Gains
NO-driven increases in blood flow correlate with improvements in exercise tolerance in several research contexts, particularly in untrained/moderately trained individuals.

3. Recovery & Nutrient Partitioning
Improved circulation supports more efficient nutrient transport post-workout, which can help recovery and anabolic signaling when combined with protein and carbs.

Clinical Dose Thinking

Label Reality:
MRI Performance lists ACTINOS in a proprietary blend (~150 mg) with other actives, without disclosing exact peptide amounts on-label.

Dose Context:

• 3 caplets per serving is the recommended dose per label.

• While peer-reviewed clinical dosing of ACTINOS itself isn’t published independently, the formula’s design pairs peptide enhancement with 3,000 mg of arginine precursors — a range consistent with arginine doses used to support NO pathways in performance research.

Practical takeaway: Users should take the full recommended serving consistently to realize synergistic effects between arginine substrates and ACTINOS peptides.

Who Benefits Most

Ideal Targets:

• Strength athletes and lifters seeking bigger muscle pumps and improved nutrient delivery

• Individuals who plateau on standard nitric oxide boosters

• Lifters focused on vascularity and training intensity without stimulants

Important Note:
Actual performance outcomes vary based on training status, genetics, and diet (NO precursors are less effective in highly trained subjects per some studies).

Conclusion

MRI Performance’s NO2® Original Formula stands out in the crowded NO supplement category by combining traditional nitric oxide precursors with ACTINOS (CFM Nitro) — a peptide fraction aimed at enhancing nitric oxide synthase activity. That blend targets both sides of NO production: substrate supply and enzyme activation.

Expected benefits:

• Stronger vasodilation and blood flow

• Enhanced muscle pumps and endurance

• Better nutrient delivery and recovery support

For athletes prioritizing performance results from NO supplementation, leveraging a formula that tackles enzymatic rate limits — rather than just precursor supply — can be a meaningful differentiator.